Sheet metal repair support device and jig thereof

ABSTRACT

A sheet metal repair support device ( 1 ) capable of suppressing a secondary damage to a panel surface due to the drawing of a damaged part, comprising a drawing device ( 40 ) for drawing the damaged part and a plurality of leg parts ( 70 ) fixed onto the panel surface around the damaged part, wherein when the damaged part is drawn, the leg parts ( 70 ) fixed onto the panel surface are used as fulcrums, the leg parts ( 70 ) support the drawing device ( 40 ) at such angles that specified inclinations can be provided relative to normal lines (L) extending from the panel surface onto which the legs are fixed, the drawing device ( 40 ) is supported on a main frame ( 10 ) which is supported on sub frames ( 20 ), and the main frame ( 10 ) and the sub frames ( 20 ) are detachably connected to each other through slide brackets ( 60 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sheet metal repair support deviceand, more specifically, to a device for supporting the sheet metaloperation of drawing out a damaged part to the normal position and a jigthereof.

BACKGROUND ART

As a device for drawing out a damaged part, there is known, for example,a sheet metal working instrument which draws out a damaged part using apanel surface around the damaged part as a fulcrum (see, for example, JP10-250535 A).

More specifically, the instrument is equipped with a rail extending overthe damaged part, a pulling portion (puller) slidably suspended fromthis rail, a leg portion frame slidable in the longitudinal direction ofthe rail, leg parts respectively extending toward the panel surface fromone end of the leg frame and of the rail, and suction pads provided atthe distal ends of the leg parts.

Further, in drawing out the damaged part, the suction pads are firstfixed to the panel surface around the damaged part, and then the pullingportion is arranged over the damaged part. Subsequently, a washer iswelded to the damaged part, and the distal end of the pulling portion isconnected to this washer. Then, in this state, the pulling portion isoperated to draw out the damaged part to the normal position using thepanel surface, to which the suction pads are fixed, as a fulcrum.

Incidentally, after careful study, the present inventors have found outvarious points in need of improvement regarding the sheet metaloperation using a sheet metal working instrument of this type.

First, when drawing out the damaged part, a large reaction force isapplied to the panel surface through the leg parts. This reaction forceis applied perpendicularly to the panel surface. Thus, when the panelsurface serving as the place where the leg parts are fixed has ashortage of rigidity, a secondary damage such as distortion is generatedin the panel surface due to this reaction force.

Further, in the prior art, in order to avoid such secondary damage, therigidity of the panel surface, the arrangement of the leg parts, etc.are sufficiently examined before starting the operation of drawing outthe damaged part. However, the rigidity of the panel surface, theappropriateness in the arrangement of the leg parts, etc. are not to beeasily judged at a glance, and an appropriate arrangement of the legparts requires great skill and years of experience. Thus, when anunskilled operator performs the operation, there is a fear of causing asecondary damage due to the reaction force of the leg parts as statedabove.

Further, to draw out the damaged part efficiently, it is necessary todraw out the damaged part in a circle from outside the damaged parttoward the center of the damaged part. In this regard, in theconventional sheet metal working instrument, in which the movingdirection (movable direction) of the pulling portion is restricted to astraight line along the rail, so that it is impossible to realizediverse drawing operations such as one in a circle.

The present invention has been made in view of the background asdescribed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide asheet metal repair support device capable of suppressing a secondarydamage to the panel surface due to the drawing of the damaged part.Further, the present invention aims to provide a sheet metal repairsupport device having a satisfactory operability and adaptable also todiverse drawing orders.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sheet metal repair support deviceincluding a drawing device for drawing out a damaged part, and aplurality of leg parts fixed to a panel surface around the damaged part,the sheet metal repair support device being adopted, when drawing outthe damaged part, to draw out the damaged part by using the leg partsfixed to the panel surface as fulcrums, characterized in that the legparts are connected to the drawing device at angles providingpredetermined inclinations with respect to normal lines extending fromthe panel surface constituting a fixation place.

In the present invention constructed as described above, the leg partsare connected to the drawing device at angles providing predeterminedinclinations with respect to the normal lines extending from the panelsurface where the leg parts are fixed, supporting the drawing deviceover the damaged part. Thus, part of the reaction force in the verticaldirection applied to the panel surface when the damaged part is drawnout is transmitted to the panel surface while dispersed in otherdirections due to the inclined arrangement of the leg parts. Thus, thereaction force in the vertical direction applied to the panel surface isreduced, whereby generation of a secondary damage due to this reactionforce is suppressed.

Further, it is desirable for the inclinations of the leg parts be setwithin a range in which the damaged part to be drawn out and the legparts make acute angles. When the inclinations are set within thisrange, the leg parts are arranged so as to be widened out with respectto the drawing device, and the reaction force acting on the leg parts isscattered to the outside of the damaged part. Thus, it is possible toavoid generation of a secondary damage more reliably.

Further, each of the leg parts may be swingably supported with respectto the drawing device. In this construction, in which the leg parts areswingably supported with respect to the drawing device, so that, even ifthe panel surface, to which the leg parts are fixed, has an undulation,it is possible to arrange the leg parts at angles adapted to theundulation.

Further, each of the leg parts may be provided with a movable portionvarying an angle at which the distal end of the leg part is held incontact with the panel surface. In this construction, even if the panelsurface, to which the leg parts are fixed, is inclined, the inclinationis absorbed by the movable portions provided on the leg parts, so thatthe relative inclination of the leg parts and the panel surface iscorrected. Thus, it is possible to fix the leg parts to the panelsurface at proper angles.

Further, it is possible to adopt a construction further including a setof sub frames supported over the damaged part through the leg parts, anda main frame supporting the drawing device so as to allow sliding in alongitudinal direction of the main frame, in which the main frame isconnected to the sub frames through a frame bracket slidable withrespect to an axial direction of the sub frames.

In this construction, the drawing device is slidable in the axialdirection of the main frame, and the main frame is slidable in the axialdirection of the sub frames. That is, the drawing device is movable overthe damaged part in plane-matrix directions. Thus, it is possible todraw out the different portions of the damaged part in an appropriateorder.

Further, the frame bracket may be equipped with a movable portionrotatable circumferentially around the main frame, and the main frameand the sub frames may be connected to each other through the movableportion.

In this construction, the movable portion rotating around the main frameis incorporated into the frame bracket, and the sub frames and the mainframe are connected to each other through the movable portion. Thus, itis possible to appropriately change the relative angle of the main frameand the sub frames by means of this movable portion.

Further, the frame bracket may be constructed such that it detachablyholds at least one of the main frame and the sub frames. In thisconstruction, it is possible to perform operation with the sub framesand the main frame separated.

Further, the leg parts may each be equipped with a suction pad forfixation to the panel surface by a suction force, and the sub frames maybe formed as hollow components, with a negative pressure generating thesuction force of the suction pad being supplied to the suction padthrough the hollow sub frames. In this construction, in which thenegative pressure is supplied to the suction pad through the sub frames,it is possible to simplify the routing structure for negative pressurepipes, etc.

Further, in the present invention, in addition to the above-describedsheet metal repair support device, the following jig also helps tosupport sheet metal repair.

That is, the present invention provides a jig for a sheet metal repairsupport device including a drawing device for drawing out a damagedpart, and a plurality of leg parts fixed to a panel surface around thedamaged part, the sheet metal repair support device being adopted, whendrawing out the damaged part, to draw out the damaged part by using theleg parts fixed to the panel surface as fulcrums, characterized in thatthe jig is equipped with a base plate portion fixed to a periphery ofthe damaged part, and a fixation plate forming in a vicinity of the legparts of the sheet metal repair support device a fixation plate servingas the panel surface constituting a proper fixation place using the baseplate portion as a fulcrum.

Further, an angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting a support angle ofthe fixation plate with respect to the base plate portion may beprovided between the base plate portion and the fixation plate.

Further, at least one of the base plate portion and the fixation platemay be provided with a slide mechanism supporting the fixation plateslidably with respect to the base plate portion.

As described above, in accordance with the present invention, it ispossible to provide a sheet metal repair support device capable ofsuppressing a secondary damage of the panel surface due to the drawingout of a damaged part. Further, it is possible to provide a sheet metalrepair support device having a satisfactory operability and adaptable todiverse drawing orders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of a sheetmetal repair support device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet metal repair support device accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sheet metal repair support device accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the sheet metal repair support deviceaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the construction of a drawingdevice according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how operation is performed by using thesheet metal repair support device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the sheet metal repair support deviceaccording to the embodiment is installed on a vehicle by using a jig.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the jig according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the jig according to the embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention willbe described with reference to the drawings.

A sheet metal repair support device 1 according to this embodiment isequipped with a main frame 10 extending over a damaged part D, subframes 20 connected to the main frame 10, a plurality of leg parts 70fixed to a panel surface P around the damaged part and supporting themain frame 10 and the sub frames 20 over the damaged part by using thepanel surface P as a fulcrum, and a drawing device 40 used to draw outthe damaged part.

The main frame 10 is composed of two steel pipes arranged in parallel.The parallelism of the steel pipes is maintained by a set of brackets.

One bracket 50 (the left-hand side bracket in FIG. 1) retains one end ofthe main frame 10. Further, the bracket 50 is provided with a rotationmechanism which rotatably connects the sub frame 20 (20 a) describedlater with respect to the main frame 10 by using the main frame 10 as arotation axis.

The other bracket 60 (the right-hand side bracket in FIG. 1) connectsthe sub frame 20 (20 b) to the main frame 10 and is equipped with aslide mechanism slidably supporting the steel pipes constituting themain frame 10 in the axial direction. Further, it is equipped with anattachment/detachment mechanism detachably retaining the main frame 10with respect to the sub frame 20 b.

In this way, of one set of brackets, one bracket 50 is fixed to one endof the main frame 10, and the other bracket 60 is provided so as to belongitudinally slidable using the main frame 10 as an axis. Thus, bymoving the other bracket 60 toward or away from one bracket 50, thedistance between the sub frames 20 a, 20 b is changed, so that thedistance between the leg parts 70 can also be changed.

In the following, one bracket 50 will be referred to as “the stationarybracket 50”. The other bracket 60 will be referred to as “the slidebracket 60”.

The sub frames 20 are formed by a pair of hollow steel pipes connectedto the main frame 10 through the intermediation of the stationarybracket 50 or the slide bracket 60.

In the following, based on the details on the brackets 50, 60, the waythe sub frames 20 a, 20 b and the main frame 10 are connected will bedescribed.

FIG. 2 shows in detail how the sub frame 20 a and the main frame 10 areconnected on the stationary bracket 50 side.

As stated above, the stationary bracket 50 is provided with a rotationmechanism rotatably supporting the sub frame 20 a using the main frame10 as an axis. This rotation mechanism is incorporated into thestationary bracket 50.

The stationary bracket 50 is equipped with a main block 51 fixed to oneend of the main frame 10, a rotation shaft 52 extending from the mainblock 51, and an auxiliary block 53 retaining the sub frame 20 a so asto allow it to slide in a direction perpendicular to the main frame 10.Further, a bearing is formed in the auxiliary block 53, and the rotationshaft 52 is incorporated into the bearing of the auxiliary block 53.

That is, the auxiliary block 53 is rotatable relative to the rotationshaft 52 extending from the main block 51, and the sub frame 20 a isrotatable relative to the main frame 10 by being connected to the mainframe 10 through the intermediation of the auxiliary block 53. Further,in this embodiment, the above mechanism forms the movable portion of theframe bracket of the present invention.

Subsequently, the way the sub frame 20 b and the main frame 10 areconnected on the slide bracket 60 side will be described with referenceto FIGS. 2 and 3.

As stated above, the slide bracket 60 is equipped with anattachment/detachment mechanism connecting the main frame 10 detachablyto the sub frame 20 b. This attachment/detachment mechanism is formed byvarious components incorporated into the slide bracket 60.

The slide bracket 60 is equipped with a main block 61 slidable in theaxial direction of the main frame 10 and retaining the sub frame 20 in adirection perpendicular to the main frame 10, and a fastening member 62collectively fastening the main block 61 and the main frame 10 (steelpipes).

By releasing the fastening member 62, the main frame 10 can be easilydetached from the main block 61. Further, when the fastening member 62is released, the main frame 10 can rotate away from the damaged part,using the stationary bracket 50 as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. 4. Whenthe fastening member 62 is closed, and the main frame 10 is connected tothe main block 61, it is possible to maintain the main frame 10 and thesub frames 20 in the state in which they are connected together.

Subsequently, the leg parts 70 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the leg parts 70 have at the lower ends thereofsuction pads 72 through the intermediation of universal joints 71(movable portions), and are fixed to the panel P constituting the placeof fixation by the suction force of the suction pads 72.

Further, connected to each suction pad 72 is a negative pressure hose 73for supplying negative pressure (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, inrouting the negative pressure hoses 73, the negative pressure hoses 73are connected to the suction pads 72 through the sub frames 20.

Further, the leg parts 70 are connected to the sub frames 20 through theintermediation of leg part brackets 80. Each leg part bracket 80 isequipped with a bracket main body 81 slidable in the axial direction ofthe sub frame 20 and rotatable in the circumferential direction of thesub frame 20 using it as an axis, an angle setting lock mechanism 82 forfixing the bracket main body 81 to the sub frame 20 at an appropriateposition and angle, and a height setting lock mechanism 83 for fixingthe position of the leg part 30 with respect to the bracket main body 81at an appropriate position (height).

By operating the lock mechanisms 82, 83, positioning is effected on theleg parts 70 with respect to the sub frames 20, whereby the supportangles and heights of the leg parts 70 with respect to the sub frames 20and the distance (span) between the leg parts 70 are determined. In thisembodiment, there are provided two leg parts for each sub frame 20,i.e., four leg parts 70 in total for the entire sheet metal repairsupport device 1.

Subsequently, a drawing device 40 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the drawing device 40 is equipped with a mainbody portion 41 supported so as to be slidable in the axial direction ofthe main frame 10, a draw-out rod 42 extending through the main bodyportion 41, a ratchet lever 43 which draws out the draw-out rod 42 tothe exterior of the main body portion 41 through a gear 42 a formed onthe side surface of the draw-out rod 42, an electrodeposition portion 44mounted to the distal end of the draw-out rod 42, and an operatinghandle 45 for imparting twist to the draw-out rod 42.

The drawing device is operated as follows. First, the electrodepositionportion 44 is fixed to a damaged part D. Then, the ratchet lever 43 isrepeatedly operated to move the draw-out rod 42 away from the damagedpart D. At this time, the electrodeposition portion 44 is fixed to thedamaged part D, so that the damaged part D is drawn out to the main body41 side together with the electrodeposition portion 44. When thedrawing-out of the damage part D is completed, the operating handle 45provided on the draw-out rod 42 is twisted, whereby twist is imparted tothe electrodeposition portion 44, and the electrodeposition portion 44is detached from the damaged part D. By thus repeatedly operating theratchet lever 43, the damaged part D is gradually drawn out toward thenormal position. The draw-out rod 42 is graduated, and, owing to thisgraduation, it is possible to grasp the amount by which the draw-out rod42 is drawn out.

Subsequently, the method of using the above-described sheet metal repairsupport device 1 will be described with reference to the operation ofdrawing out a damaged part formed on a panel surface of a vehicle.

First, prior to the installation of the sheet metal repair supportdevice 1, the configuration of the damaged part is grasped. Then, thesub frame 20 b is caused to slide in the axial direction of the mainframe 10 through the intermediation of the slide bracket 60, and the legparts 70 are caused to slide relative to the sub frames 20, adapting thedistance (span) between the leg parts 70 and their positions to theconfiguration of the damaged part. This operation corresponds to theoperation of enlarging the distance between the leg parts 70 withrespect to the damaged part, and is not such a sophisticated operationas would require, for example, correct computation of the exactpositions of the leg parts 70.

Further, in this embodiment, after adjusting the distance between thesub frames 20 a, 20 b, a jig X as shown in FIG. 1 is fitted into the endportion of each of the sub frames 20 a, 20 b in order to maintain thisdistance, and in this state, the present device 1 is fixed to thedamaged part. That is, the movement of the sub frames 20 a, 20 b isregulated by the jig X, making it possible to fix the present device 1to the damaged part.

As shown in FIG. 1, each jig X is equipped with a main body portion X2whose total length can be adjusted by an adjusting portion X1, andengagement portions X3 provided on the both ends of the main bodyportion X2, which can be engaged with the end portions of the sub frames20 a, 20 b; when using the jig, each of the engagement portions X3 isengaged with the end portion of the corresponding sub frame 20, and thetotal length is adjusted by the adjusting portion X1, whereby anexternal force (tension) is imparted to the sub frame 20, restrainingundesired movement of the sub frame 20.

Subsequently, the leg part brackets 80 are operated to impartinclination to the support angles of the leg parts 70. Morespecifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the leg parts 70 are fixed tothe panel surface at angles providing predetermined inclinations withrespect to normal lines L extending from the panel surface to which theleg parts 70 are fixed.

While the inclination angles of the leg parts 70 can be set arbitrarily,inclination is preferably imparted to the leg parts 70 within a range inwhich the angles θ made by the damaged part to be drawn out and the legparts 70 are acute angles, and more preferably, within the range of 60to 80 degrees.

To be more specific about the angles θ made by the above-mentioneddamaged part and the leg parts 70, the angles θ correspond to the anglesmade by the leg parts 70 and the straight lines connecting the proximalpoints of the normal lines extending from the panel surface toward theleg part brackets 80 and the positions where the leg parts 70 supportedby the leg part brackets 80 are fixed.

Subsequently, the fastening member 62 provided on the slide bracket 60is released, and the main frame 10 is opened in a direction opposite tothe damaged part, using the stationary bracket 50 as a fulcrum. Then, inthis state, operations, such as masking and the marking of draw-outpoints, are effected on the damaged part.

Then, the main frame 10 is connected to the sub frame 20 b again throughthe intermediation of the fastening member 62. Next, the drawing device40 is operated to lower the draw-out rod 42, and the electrodepositionportion 44 provided at the distal end of the draw-out rod is welded tothe damaged part. Then, the ratchet lever 43 provided on the drawingdevice 40 is operated to draw up the damaged part to a desired position(see FIG. 6).

In this way, in the sheet panel repair support device 1 according tothis embodiment, the leg parts 70 are fixed so as to providepredetermined inclinations with respect to the normal lines L extendingfrom the panel surface, and in this state, the operation of drawing outthe damaged part is conducted.

Thus, the reaction force in the direction perpendicular to the panelsurface acting on the leg parts 70 when drawing out the damaged part isdiffused to the outside of the damaged part, whereby a secondary damageof the panel surface due to the operation of drawing out the damagedpart is avoided.

In this embodiment, the leg parts 70 are fixed to the panel surface byutilizing the suction force of the suction pads 72. Thus, the dispersedreaction force (e.g., the reaction force horizontal to the panelsurface) is absorbed by deformation of the suction pads. That is, byadopting the suction pads 72, it is possible to further reduce thereaction force acting on the panel surface.

Further, the inclinations, i.e. the support angles, of the leg parts 70,can be easily changed whenever necessary by operating the leg partbrackets 80 provided on the sub frames 20.

Further, in the sheet metal repair support device 1 according to thisembodiment, it is possible to separate the sub frame 20 b and the mainframe 10 at the slide bracket 60, so that, as stated above, even afterthe installation of the sheet metal repair support device 1, it ispossible to perform operation over the damaged part.

Further, in this embodiment, by sliding the main frame 10 relative tothe sub frames 20, and by sliding the drawing device 40 relative to themain frame 10, it is possible to move the drawing device 40 inplane-matrix directions of the damaged part (the X-direction and theY-direction in FIG. 2). Thus, it is possible to perform the drawing-outoperation in diverse drawing orders, for example, in a drawing order inwhich the damaged part is drawn out successively in a circle from theouter periphery toward the center of the damaged part.

Next, a jig used in sheet metal repair by means of the sheet metalrepair support device 1 will be described.

While in the above example the leg parts 70 are directly fixed to thepanel surface P, by using the jig described below, it is possible toinstall the sheet metal repair support device 1 in a stable manner overthe damaged part in a condition in which the fixing positions for theleg parts 70 cannot be secured in the vicinity of the damaged part.

In the following, the jig for the sheet metal repair support device 1 ofthe present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a jig 100 forming fixation places for the leg parts 70 on aside surface of a tire T by utilizing the tire T of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the jig 100 is equipped with a semi-circular acrylicresin plate 101 whose radius is substantially equal to the radius ofcurvature of the tire T, and L-shaped stays 102 (base plate portions)provided in the peripheral edge of the acrylic resin plate 101; whenusing the jig, the stays 102 are engaged with the tread surface of thetire T to secure a fixation surface (fixation plate) formed by theacrylic resin plate 101 on the side surface of the tire T.

Then, by fixing the leg parts 70 to the side surface of the tire T, itis possible to fix the sheet metal repair support device 1 in a stablemanner over the damaged part even in a position where the panel area issmall, for example, in a position in the vicinity of the tire house.

Further, FIGS. 7 through 9 show a jig 110 which secures fixation placesfor the leg parts 70 by utilizing the hood of a vehicle.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the jig 110 is equipped with a baseplate portion 111 to be fixed to the portion of a hood B around thedamaged part, and a fixation plate 112 forming, by using the base plateportion 111 as a fulcrum, a fixation surface serving as a panel surfaceconstituting the proper fixation place in the vicinity of the leg parts70 of the sheet metal repair support device 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in using the jig, the jig 110 is fixed tothe hood B of the vehicle, and the leg parts 70 of the sheet metalrepair support device 1 are fixed to the fixation plate 112. That is, byusing the jig 110, even in a condition in which the fixation surface forthe leg parts 70 cannot be secured on the panel surface P in thevicinity of the damaged part, it is possible to secure the fixationsurface for the leg parts 70 in the vicinity of the leg parts 70 byutilizing another panel surface (e.g., the hood).

In the following, its construction will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 8, the base plate portion 111 consists of a flat platehaving on the back side a plurality of suction pads 113, whereas thefixation plate 112 is fixed to the end portion of the base plate portion111 through the intermediation of hinges 114. Further, as shown in FIG.9, between the base plate portion 111 and the fixation plate 112, thereis provided an angle adjusting mechanism. This angle adjusting mechanismis equipped with a stay 111 a provided on the surface of the base plateportion 111, a stay 112 a extending from the fixation plate 112, and alock lever 115 securing the stays 111 a, 112 a at fixed positions.

When operating the jig, the fixation plate 112 is adjusted to a desiredangle with respect to the base plate portion 111, and then the locklever 115 is operated to collectively fasten the stays 111 a, 112 a.Thus, the support angle of the fixation plate 112 with respect to thebase plate portion 111 is maintained at an appropriate angle.

Further, the suction pads 113 are provided so as to be slidable withrespect to the base plate portion 111, and position adjustment of thebase plate portion 111 and the fixation plate 112 is possible even afterthe fixation of the suction pads 113.

The construction of the sheet metal repair support device 1 and theconstruction of the jig described above, are only presented as apreferred example; regarding their details, they allow modifications asappropriate according to various specifications.

For example, while in the sheet metal repair support device 1 describedabove the leg parts 70 are swingably connected to the sub frames 20through the intermediation of the leg part brackets 80, it is alsopossible to impart inclination to the leg parts 70 by fixing the legparts 70 to the sub frames 20 and changing the angle of the sub frames20 with respect to the main frame 10 when installing the sheet metalrepair support device 1.

Further, the sub frames 20, the main frame 10, etc. are not alwaysindispensable; for example, a construction may also be adopted in whichthe leg parts 70 are directly connected to the drawing device 40.

Further, while in the above example the inclination setting for the legparts 70 is effected by imparting inclination to the leg parts within arange in which the angles θ made by the damaged part and the leg parts70 are acute angles (angles smaller than a right angle), it is notabsolutely necessary to do so; to disperse the reaction force acting onthe panel surface, the angles θ made by the damaged part and the legparts 70 may also be obtuse angles exclusive of 90 degrees.

In the case in which the setting is made in acute angles, the leg parts70 are widened out, so that, for example, in a configuration with aswollen central portion as in the case of a vehicle door panel, it ispossible to diffuse the reaction force efficiently to the outside of thedamaged part.

1. A sheet metal repair support device comprising a drawing device fordrawing out a damaged part, and a plurality of leg parts fixed to apanel surface around the damaged part, the sheet metal repair supportdevice being adopted, when drawing out the damaged part, to draw out thedamaged part by using the leg parts fixed to the panel surface asfulcrums, characterized in that the leg parts are connected to thedrawing device at angles providing predetermined inclinations withrespect to normal lines extending from the panel surface constituting afixation place.
 2. A sheet metal repair support device according toclaim 1, characterized in that the inclinations of the leg parts are setwithin a range in which the damaged part to be drawn out and the legparts make acute angles.
 3. A sheet metal repair support deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the leg parts are swingablysupported with respect to the drawing device.
 4. A sheet metal repairsupport device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of theleg parts is provided with a movable portion varying an angle at which adistal end of the leg part is held in contact with the panel surface. 5.A sheet metal repair support device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a set of sub frames supported over the damaged part throughthe leg parts, and a main frame supporting the drawing device so as toallow sliding in a longitudinal direction of the main frame,characterized in that the main frame is connected to the sub framesthrough a frame bracket slidable with respect to an axial direction ofthe sub frames.
 6. A sheet metal repair support device according toclaim 5, characterized in that the frame bracket is equipped with amovable portion rotatable circumferentially around the main frame, andthat the main frame and the sub frames are connected to each otherthrough the movable portion.
 7. A sheet metal repair support deviceaccording to claim 5, characterized in that the frame bracket detachablyholds at least one of the main frame and the sub frames.
 8. A sheetmetal repair support device according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe leg parts are each equipped with a suction pad for fixation to thepanel surface by a suction force, and that the sub frames are formed ashollow components, with a negative pressure generating the suction forceof the suction pad being supplied to the suction pad through the hollowsub frames.
 9. A jig for a sheet metal repair support device comprisinga drawing device for drawing out a damaged part, and a plurality of legparts fixed to a panel surface around the damaged part, the sheet metalrepair support device being adopted, when drawing out the damaged part,to draw out the damaged part by using the leg parts fixed to the panelsurface as fulcrums, characterized in that the jig comprises a baseplate portion fixed to a periphery of the damaged part, and a fixationplate forming in a vicinity of the leg parts of the sheet metal repairsupport device a fixation plate serving as the panel surfaceconstituting a proper fixation place using the base plate portion as afulcrum.
 10. A jig for a sheet metal repair support device according toclaim 9, characterized in that an angle adjusting mechanism foradjusting a support angle of the fixation plate with respect to the baseplate portion is provided between the base plate portion and thefixation plate.
 11. A jig for a sheet metal repair support deviceaccording to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the baseplate portion and the fixation plate is provided with a slide mechanismsupporting the fixation plate slidably with respect to the base plateportion.